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Salary comparison

Chemical Plant and System Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Chemical Plant and System Operators out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Chemical Plant and System Operators land at $78,120 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: chemical plant and system operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Chemical Plant and System Operators is Florida ($128,830); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Chemical Plant and System Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$78,120
$74,450
Hourly rate
$37.56/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,400
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$111,930
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
16,610
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-6.1%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Florida
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Chemical Plant and System Operators median pay.

State
Chemical Plant and System Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Wyoming
$107,810
$90,390
Louisiana
$100,060
$77,520
Maryland
$95,150
$78,520
California
$87,550
$76,840
New Jersey
$86,820
$81,110
Massachusetts
$83,710
$79,920
Pennsylvania
$70,110
$74,990
South Carolina
$68,510
$77,500
Minnesota
$66,500
$78,550
Illinois
$65,710
$75,200
New York
$62,980
$78,580
Colorado
$62,870
$78,890
Wisconsin
$62,720
$74,840
Iowa
$60,440
$74,750
Washington
$60,120
$79,310

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Chemical Plant and System Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Chemical Plant and System Operators earn more nationally. The median is $78,120 for Chemical Plant and System Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Chemical Plant and System Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -6.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Chemical Plant and System Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Chemical Plant and System Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Chemical Plant and System Operators get paid the most?

Florida is the top-paying state for Chemical Plant and System Operators at $128,830/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Chemical Plant and System Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Wyoming, Chemical Plant and System Operators earn $107,810 vs. $90,390 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Chemical Plant and System Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Chemical Plant and System Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a chemical plant and system operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →